NOTES FOR THE POEM ‘KEEPING QUIET’

The poem begins on a note of quiet introspection. The poet asks the readers to
count 12 and then sit still. He implores them not to speak any language and for
some time not involve themselves in any movement. In this moment of silence, one
can experience the strength of togetherness, a sudden strange relationship to which
humanity binds itself.

In this blissful moment of extreme silence, humans and nature will have time to
heal their wounds. People who are all the time engaged in the exploitation of
nature and are preparing themselves for chemical was coma which will leave no
survivors behind coma shall find time to wear clean clothes and walk around with
their brothers strengthening the message of peace and brotherhood.

The poet cautions that his thoughts should not be confused with total inactivity.
Life certainly is an ongoing dynamic process and should not be associated with
death. In this hour of introspection and silence, we will find time to understand
ourselves better and escape from the threatening cause of death.

The poet feels that the Earth teaches us how everything comes to a dead end and
then comes to life again. In the same manner from this hour of silence, one can
learn the need to bring all evil thoughts to their end and to revive a new life of
peace and tranquility. The poet brings an end to his session of introspection
instructing men to keep quiet and then leaves them in the tranquility.

The poet urges each one of us to count up to twelve and then be quiet. He wants a
moment of silence on the earth when no language is spoken. In this way, there will
be no language barrier between people. No harsh words will be spoken. In this
moment of silence, the poet does not want anyone to move their arms. He wants us
to remain motionless.

The poet feels that such a moment of silence would be an unusual and exciting
one. There will be no hurry or sound machines to pollute the atmosphere. It will be
a strange and unfamiliar moment. In this unusual period, the bonds of humanity
will get stronger. .

In this moment of inactivity the fisherman would not be catching fish. Hence, the
whales in the sea will be safe. The man who gathers salt will be able to tend to his
wounded hands for which he had no time earlier. Thus, human beings will not
destroy nature and both nature and humans will be able to recover from their
wounds.

The poet now speaks of those who wage war against humanity or environment.
They create war of all kinds. He says that such men should stop their activity, shed
their clothes stained with the blood of humanity, put on new clothes and walk with
their brothers, building brotherhood. The poet implies that the war-torn world
should be replaced by one with an atmosphere of peace, brotherhood and harmony.

The poet makes a clarification that though he is advocating the need for silence, his
advice should not be confused with total inactivity. He does not want any
association with death. He says that life is meant to be lived.

The poet further advices that people should stop being self-centred and selfish. He
says that this huge silence, which will arise from such a moment, will only serve to
help the people. It will help them introspect and overcome their sadness of failing
to understand themselves. This moment of silence will give them time to
understand themselves better.

The poet feels that the Earth can enlighten us and guide us in the process of
keeping quiet. He wants us to observe that there is some activity under apparent
stillness. For example, the huge fruit bearing trees are ‘born’ from such seeds lying
‘dead’ here and there. At the end, he wants us to keep quiet while he is counting to
12, after which he will leave.
Poem Analysis ‘Of Keeping Quiet’
Form (structure or pattern) of the poem –
 Tone (the poet’s or reader’s attitude towards the subject) of the
poem – The poem has a calm tone.
Poetic Devices
1. Imagery – Descriptive language that can function as a way for the reader
to better imagine the poem. From the poem:
o “Cold Sea”.
2. Repetition – The recurrence of a word or phrase to create emphasis.
From the poem:
o “Without rush, without engines”
3. Alliteration – The occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning
of adjacent or closely connected words. From the poem:
o “We will”
 o “We would”
o “Once on”
o “His hurt hands”
4. Antithesis – An opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed. From the
poem:
o “Count to twelve and we will all keep still”
Short Answer Questions
Q. 1. What will counting up to twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
A) Counting to twelve and keeping still will help us put a brake on rush of our life.
It will also help us to introspect, reflect and experience silence and peace. In such
moment we can find solution to our problems and predicaments.
Q. 2. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
A) No, the poet doesn’t advocate total inactivity. Admitting life to be an ongoing
process, he wants that man’s activities should be positively channelized. Infect,
man should put an end to his hostile and destructive activities and promote
constructive activities.
Q. 3. What is the ‘sadness’ that the poet refers to in the poem?
A) The sadness the poet refers to emanates from the isolation of which the modern
man has become a victim man. This sadness has made man selfish. Thus, he fails
to understand the need of his fellow beings to lead a healthful life. Instead, he
threatens others with the sorrows of death.
Q. 4. What symbol from Nature does the poet invoke to say that there can be
life under apparent stillness?
A) The poet wants to invoke the symbol of automatic self-regeneration from
nature. Life remaining still in winter under the cover of snow and frost in the form
of seeds and leaves automatically comes from life in spring. Thus, there’s life
under apparent stillness.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Q. 1. What would be an exotic moment for man?
A) The poet says that if man keeps quiet for some time, and indulges in
introspection, doing away with his progressive attitude, he would experience an
exotic moment. In this exotic moment, he will enjoy the bliss of silence away from
the chaos of life.
Q. 2. What is the poet trying to convey through the images of ‘the fishermen’
and ‘men gathering salts’?
A) Through these images the poet is highlighting the harm man is causing to nature
and himself in his efforts to add comfort to his life. The fishermen cause harm to
the fish and the man gathering salts’ hurt their hands in the effort to gather salt.
Q. 3. How would man be together in a sudden strangeness?
A) Man has become a stranger to his fellow beings owing to his excessive
involvement in the chaos of modern living. In the moment of introspection, he will
realize the power of mankind and in that sudden strangeness the strength and
togetherness of his race.
Conclusion: Keeping Quiet
In the poem, the poet advocates to keep quiet to introspect and to build a peaceful
and harmonious world. He asks all the human beings to stop all worldly activities
for a while and spend few quiet moments in tranquility..